The closest airport is Jerez de la Frontera, about 35 minutes by car or taxi (fixed price €46), 1 hour by direct bus or train (RENFE cercanías stops 3 times a day at the airport station [5], single ride from €4,7, buy at the vending machine), though there are few buses and trains, and the schedules do not fit most flights. There are several daily flights to Madrid and Barcelona (Iberia, Vueling). Ryanair flies daily to London Stansted and Frankfurt Hahn. Other operators fly scheduled, charter, or seasonal flights. The nearest major airports are in Sevilla (80 min by car, 2 hours by bus or train) and Malaga (2-3 hours by car or bus).

Frequent trains run to Jerez and about hourly to Seville. A very convenient way to come in from Madrid is with the ALVIA trains [7] that runs 3 times a day (4 in summertime) covering the distance in about 5 hours.5
From Jerez to Cadiz fares are 5€ for an adult and 3€ for a child - see train timetable here: http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html

Trains from Seville are around 12,5 € for a single and 20€ for a return. Make note, if you get a return you have to book your seat reservation for the way back upon arrival at the station, otherwise you'll be expected to pay the full fare!

Cruise ships often dock within easy walking distance of the old city/downtown. Passengers also can take day trips to Seville (about two hours by bus) or Jerez De La Frontera (less than 1 hour by bus).
There are frequent commuter ferries to Rota and El Puerto de Santa Maria.

Cadiz is a most important point when looking to travel to the Canary Islands as well.

The old town can be easily walked, and it is not easy to ride a car along its twisting alleys.
There are 5 bus routes which tour the town and all start and finish at old and new towns, going in a loop. It's 1.10 euro per ride. The most useful for visitors is number 1, which goes from the old town (Plaza de España) to the southern end of the new town (Cortadura) along the main avenue.

Number 7 follows the open sea coastline and links all the urban beaches.

Cadiz is said to be the oldest city in western Europe, as it was founded by Phoenician sailors about 3.000 years ago, as a commercial stronghold. Archeological remains can be found all around the old town. The Archeological Museum (Plaza de Mina) exhibits are interesting, specially two Phoenician stone sarcophagus. The remainings of the Roman theatre just behind the Old Cathedral are also worth a visit.

The massive stone walls and forts that can be seen surrounding the old town were built to protect the city after the British Sir Francis Drake's attack and sacking in 1596, and the forts of San Sebastian and Santa Catalina (and occasionally Baluarte de la Concepcion) are open to the public.

Everyone should visit the Cathedral in the old town and climb to the top of the North Tower for a nice view of the entire city.

The church Oratorio de San Felipe Neri, where the first Spanish Constitution was signed, has plenty of marble and bronze plates to honour the representatives from mainland Spain and colonial territories, ranging from Philippines Islands to Central and South America.

The Torre Tavira, near the Central Market (Mercado de Abastos) holds a "camera obscura". Located in one of the towers originally used by merchants to watch out for their ships returning home from the Americas, it provides a birds-eye view of the old part of town.

The Central Market itself is well worth a visit in the morning, especially the fish section.

A modern monument of Cadiz are the huge pylons of the powerline crossing the bay of Cadiz. These 150 metre high pylons are lattice towers with cylindrical cross section.

Do not miss Carnaval in Cadiz, one of the oldest and best in Spain, often cited as the third biggest Carnaval celebration in the world. Usually in February, the weekend before Ash Wednesday is consistently the loudest and most eventful so be sure to check the calendar. Singing, dancing and costumes run for the whole week. Informal groups (chirigotas, cuartetos, coros, comparsas and romanceros) sing at the old town streets, usually with strong critics on local, national and international politics, the jet set, and just about anything/anybody, up to the Royal Family. Make your travel plans early as most accommodation gets booked months in advance and be prepared to spend almost double for the week of Carnaval. One way to experience Carnaval on the dime, and perhaps the preferred way of Andalusian locals, is to board an afternoon train heading to Cadiz, spend the night singing and dancing, then catch the first train back in the morning. Expect singing, dancing, costumes and drinking on all trains. Sleeping on the public beach is also another popular option, though be sure to bring a blanket or sleeping bag, both of which can be stored in lockers at the train station; expect company and use common sense.

Semana Santa (Easter or Holy Week) is less formal than in Sevilla, and probably more authentic and emotive an experience for that.

Enjoy the best sunset in Spain at 'Playa de la Caleta' at the northern end of the old town. The main beaches (Santa Maria del Mar, Victoria, and Cortadura) start at the edge of the old town, continue all along the new town, and on alongside the road to San Fernando. In total some 10 km of the widest, cleanest beaches you will find in Europe, with safe bathing from around May to October. The summer heat is usually tempered by an Atlantic breeze, although on days when the Levante blows beware of flying sand.

Victoria Beach is short bus ride (number 7 or number 2) away from the old town and is beautiful with clean water and lots of activities including beach football and volleyball, surfing and kite flying all available.

Another worth visiting places hidden in cadiz is Andalusí Market. In this market many local artists display their original products. From herbal soaps to 21 different types of spanish empanadilla, teas and spices from morocco, potters making the famous andalucian pottery on spot, to name a few. It is organised by Institución Ferial de Cádiz (Ifeca) every year for 3 days in August to promote local craftsmen business. One can find all the typical spanish food delicacies served here at a reasonable price. This year it was held on 17,18,19 August 2012 in the neighbourhood of El Pópulo. The dates may vary every year depending on the weekend.

In Cadiz you will find some of the best and freshest fish and shellfish in the world. They are best eaten as simply cooked as possible: plain boiled shellfish (in varying sizes from tiny prawns up to lobsters), grilled or baked whole fish such as lubina (bass) or dorada (bream), or deep fried with a light flour coating (especially puntillitas (baby squid) and boquerones (anchovies).

To eat not too expensive fish and shellfish, you can look at Calle Zorrilla (several tapas bars and street vendors) or Calle de la Palma (several restaurants with open air terraces).

For a splurge, the best place in town is Restaurante El Faro (Calle San Félix. But even here you can eat relatively cheaply, if you stand at the bar and eat only tapas.

Balandro, Alameda de Apodaca, 22. Modern bar with good food typical from Cadiz. It is extremly cheap (all dishes cost €3-5 if you get tapas at the bar and around €12-€14 if you get a sit down meal ) and the quantities are generous. It's located on the coastline and as such, they seem to get the pick of the fish that comes in every day. edit

El Gaucho, (Calle de Murquia). Only opened in May 2011 but has already forged a name as the best steak restaurant in the town. Expect to pay around €14 for a steak with chips (they expect you to share this, but one can easily eat) and it's incredibly tasty.edit

Cumbres Mayore, (C/ Zorilla). Best Tapas in town with a focus on the famous iberican hams and meats. edit

Casa Hidalgo, Plaza de la Catedral, 8. A great bakery that specializes in Galician empanadas (try the Empanada de Atún - sounds bad, tastes delicious), but also have great pastries of all kinds. Locals flock to this local institution for the scrumptious ensaimadas, salvavidas, and brazos de gitano. edit

La Sidrería de El Pópulo, Calle Mesón número 16, esquina con San Antonio Abad, ☎856922078. Located in the historic El Pópulo district, this is Cádiz´s sole cider house. Specializing is sidra from Asturias and dishes from all over the north of Spain, a great place to eat if you´re tired of only Andalusian fare. Check out the Menú del Día.edit

Restaurante Café Royalty (restaurante cafe royalty), Plaza de la Candelaria S/N, 11005 Cádiz, España (Cafe Royalty is located in the historic center of the city of Cadiz, in the corner of the Plaza de la Candelaria with Obispo Urquinaona street.), ☎+34 956 078 065, [1]. edit

Fino, a (15.5% alcohol) bone dry sherry (or Jerez), or manzanilla, a similar wine from Sanlucar de Barrameda, is the perfect aperitif with olives or a prawn or two. Drinking more than a couple of glasses may spoil your focus on the rest of the meal. The best local white wine (and one of the most popular in Spain) is Barbadillo, made from the same grape but considerably lighter (11%).
You should visit Taberna de la Manzanilla, one of the oldest bars and wine merchants in town, selling nothing but sherry wines. No tapas but just 2 complimentary olives per glass of wine.
Red wine in the region has undergone a revolution in recent years, and there are now several examples of exceptional quality red wine under the classification Tierra de Cádiz.

Bar Cuba, C/ de Murquia. Owner Richard is a bit of a local legend after naming his bar after his wife's nationality. You'll find a good deal of cocktails and beers for around 1.5 euros.edit

Woodstock. A good mix of locals and ERASMUS students in here. They offer deals midweek and a bar crawl runs from 11pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, although the turnout isn't always fantasticedit

O'Connels. Wherever you go, there's always an Irish bar and Cadiz is no exception. Will show most of the major UK soccer games if you fancy catching it, although beer here is pricier as it's imported.edit

Bar Nahu. The main haunt for internationals during the weekdays and weekends. Closes late (around 3pm) and is exceptionally cheap. You'll get lots of English speakers in here, especially around the end of September/start of October as that's when the ERASMUS scheme arrives and people like to get to know each other.edit

SPAM! Club. This is usually where the Nahu frequenters end up after Nahu. More expensive but open till 7amedit

Imaginarium. Only open on Thursday/Friday/Saturday and located closer to the new town, but you'll find some famous acts going on if you're lucky and is always jam packed.edit

Calle Marques de Cadiz has several budget options, doubles at about 35 euros with shared bath.

Casa Caracol, in the old part of Cádiz, [9]. Inexpensive and quite relaxed hostel.

Hotel Almenara, Avenida Almenara, s/n. 11310 Sotogrande. Sotogrande/Cadiz, Spain, ☎+34.95.6582000, [2]. Stunning 4* hotel located in the tranquillity of Sotogrande. There are 148 rooms available, as well as a golf course, a spa, a gym and swimming pools. Rooms from 107€. edit

Hostal La Cantarera, located in the old town, [10]. An excellent hostel for what it costs, with clean, luxurious rooms and friendly management.

Hotel Monte Puertatierra, [11] is just a few metres from the beach. It is a 4-star establishment, set in the historic, artistic and commercial centre of the city. It has 98 large rooms, free WiFi, rooms for meetings and wedding receptions, parking facilities and a wide offer of services to make your stay in Cadiz as comfortable as possible.

Jerez. A nice day trip to this warm and luminous city, the biggest city in province of Cadiz. Jerez is the home of Sherry (denomination of origin legally protected) wines, cradle of Flamenco and home of the Andalusian/Carthusian horses (pure Spanish Horse). Just 45 minutes by train/bus from Cádiz, a little less by car. Visit some wine cellar to know their long and distinguished history and process and later, visit some popular “tabanco” to taste wonderful tapas and unique wines sorrounded by local people. You can also enjoy or even learn some Flamenco (don’t miss Flamenco Festival in February, Feria del Caballo in May declared an International Tourist Interest or their popular Christmas Zambomba celebration along December weekends) or attending some horses show in The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Foundation.

Tarifa is the best place in Europe for kiteboarding and other sports related to water wind and waves. It can offer wonderful beaches, brilliant views of Morocco and wind practically every day.